K N A U S K O N T A K T

September 2015

A Newsletter for the Knaus Owners Club in the UK

C H A I R M A N ’ S C H A T T E R The autumn seems to have crept up on us, even after the dry July (certainly down in the south). August has turned the grass very green with all the rain. Summer seems to have been one day at a time.

Margo & I were fortunate to do a tour of the North & East of France mid May & June and get some really good weather. Sorry to rub it in somewhat, not only was the wine, but inner France, which we'd not seen before or experienced, was a great surprise. We had not used the French Aires before and found them really good, most of

them were by some kind of water which enabled us to use the cycle paths around various lakes and along canals & rivers.

The two weeks in the Alps around Annecy turned out quite different with the temperature over 35C and with snow still on the mountains, which made a great contrast. I even managed to cycle up one of the passes, quite hairy in places with near shear drop-offs and solid rock on the other side, the traffic certainly made it challenging.

One of the disappointments in France, was the lack of bread shops in the small villages and getting used to the 2 hour lunch time closing, but we sort of got used to it.

The two Knaus meets at Peterborough & Malvern have kept our now year-old Sky Van very much in use. We even got in a few days in the New Forest, trying to get to know the area on our door step a little better, great cycling.

We are now in Scotland but unfortunately we are to return down south to attend a funeral before the Show up in Lincoln. Cont’d over

We hope to see as many of you there as possible.

These pictures represent some of the fantastic places we saw.

Clive & Margo

CHATTER CONT’D

MALVERN 2015 RALLY REPORT

Howdy there! Nineteen units booked for our rally at the Country and Western Motorhome show. Several folk had been before and told us how much they enjoyed the show - line dancin' an all, but John and I were country and western virgins and didn't known quite what to expect. We

arrived Thursday to find several Cowboys and girls with their wagons pitched up, ably organised in a corral by our lovely marshals Buffalo Bill and his sidekick Jacquie. Margo and Clive had made everyone some very nice shortbread. Those of us parked by the road found it a bit dusty from the motorhomes who, thinking they were rounding up cattle, whizzed past at some speed. Unfortunately on Friday it rained most of the day but on the positive side it damped down the dust! Some braved the weather to look round the show, but the outside entertainment in the Lonestar camp had been cancelled. We felt very sorry for the traders, especially those on the outskirts of the

show where the ground was getting a little churned up but on the whole the ground held up well. We gathered at the chuck wagon at tea time for a very nice bbq. John and I didn't sample the evening entertainment but we were very impressed with the lovely outfits that our club members wore and reports were that the entertainment venues were busy and the acts very enjoyable. Saturday dawned fair and soon the sun was out. Most folks went round the show. There was a convenient shuttle bus throughout the day from the Knaus corral to the showground. Some of the costumes were brilliant, especially the ladies with huge crinolines. Everyone liked the Lonestar camp... except for some doggies who took exception to the noise of the gunfights. We enjoyed looking at the items on the country and western stalls which made a change from the usual motorhome fare and bought a couple of unusual Christmas presents. People who went on the Show bus to Malvern said that the church was well worth seeing. Our Cowboys and Girls met up for a coffee and natter in the chuck wagon again before the evening entertainment. Sunday’s weather was lovely. A few of our band went to the Sunday service and others went round the show for final bargains or "must haves" that we didn't know we wanted or needed and

Cont’d over

Bill went for a walk in the hills. In the morning we gathered to find out who had won the two quizzes set by Buffalo Bill. After some very strict marking Olive and Tony won the 'cattle brands' quiz and Richard and Margaret were winners of the TV Westerns anagrams. Later in the day we gathered in the chuck wagon for Andrea's cake and discussions about the new motorhomes on offer. We weren't sure how to take Marylin's comment that Chris was hot in bed, but assume it had something to do with coolmax mattresses? Later we gathered to watch the entertainment provided by Lynn and Malcolm, who had purchased an awning....

There were many laughs as usual but I must mention the site facilities. I think there must have been something in the water as Olive and Tony extolled the virtues of the large showers which were roomy enough for two, Harry used the ladies loos for three days before a camper explained his error and Bill had to have a cold shower... On Sunday and Monday the Cowboys and Girls departed. Some sadly had to be back at work, others had to go home but a lucky few went on to destinations at home and abroad to extend

their trips. We had a lovely time - thank you very much to Bill and Jacquie for marshalling and organising the quiz. We hope to see everyone again at our next rally at the Season Finale in Lincoln Keren Maskew-Watson

Spotted after Tony and Olive’s departure - suggestions for a caption to the editor please!!

Did you know that there is now a new e-mail address for anyone wishing to order products with

the Knaus Owners Club logo? This is insignia@knausowners.com. The catalogue can be

viewed on line at: www.ef-supplies.co.uk, or see the link from the knausowners.com website.

Please note that prices shown do not include VAT or the cost of printing the logo (currently

£1.95 per item). Anyone wishing to order please contact me at the new e-mail address.

Thanks, Keren.

Debby from Lowdhams has shared the following details about their Novemberfest, being

repeated after last year’s success! Tony Poole will once again be marshalling the Knaus

attendees as well as lending a hand more generally.

The event will be held on Friday 6th to Sunday 8

th November at Lowdhams’ Gunthorpe site

near Nottingham. Ralliers will be taken on the Friday evening by double decker bus to the

Lowdham Village Hall for a hoedown (the event has a Wild West theme) and BBQ with a

charity bar. On the Saturday evening the showroom will remain open later than usual and light

bites will be served with wine, accompanied by a gypsy jazz band. The new 2016

motorhomes will be on display with special offers during the day.

If you are interested in booking a slot, or would like more details, please let Tony know by

email: a.poole22@btinternet.com

After testing these mats on a caravan club site

we were so impressed we bought some.

Unfortunately the matting only comes in a 10m

roll, so we have four sets surplus to

requirements. If any club members would like a

pair or set of four they can have them for cost

price which is £10 a pair. They measure 41" long

by 17" wide, which we have found gives a good

overlap on the tyre and they are very light. We

have since tested them on a slippy grass farm

field and they were excellent both for anti-slip and

for preventing sinking. Please let me know if you

would like any (e-mail insignia@knausowners.com or phone 07886 171299). We are going to

Lincoln if anyone wants them there.

Keren and John

KNAUS OWNERS CLUB REGALIA

LOWDHAMS NOVEMBERFEST 2015

GRASS MATS

Keren Maskew-Watson received the following reply from Wyre after she complained that she and John couldn't park their motorhome in the Knott End car park. Reportedly the height barriers were locked as the Council had intelligence of a large group of travellers in the area at the time and normally they are open.

Motorhomes and Caravans - Wyre Council

Parking for Motorhomes or oversized vehicles

Most of the town centre car parks have height barriers restricting entrance to vehicles 2.0m or less. The following car parks can be accessed by drivers of motorhome or oversized vehicles.

Except where noted below, motorhomes or oversized vehicles that are too large to fit in the standard parking bays may park in more than one marked bay; on Pay & Display car parks multiple tickets must be purchased and displayed to cover the number of spaces that the vehicle occupies.

It is not permitted to sleep or camp overnight in any car park.

Fleetwood:

Free car parks Marine Hall - height barriers closed at night Rossall Hospital

Cleveleys:

Pay & Display car parks Derby Road West Rough Lea Road - max 2 hours North Promenade - restricted to 4.8m length: max 2 hours Jubilee Gardens - restricted to 4.8m length

Thornton:

Free car parks Stanah Countryside Park - Height barriers can be opened on request at Rangers Office. Thornton YMCA - height barriers closed at night

Poulton:

Pay & Display car parks Hardhorn Road Teanlowe Centre car park

Free car parks Civic Centre - parking to rear only - height barrier closed at 5pm Poulton Sports Centre - restricted to 4.8m length

Cont’d over

WYRE COUNCIL - PARKING FOR MOTORHOMES

https://www.wyre.gov.uk/directory_record/1422/marine_hall_and_leisure_centre_car_parkhttps://www.wyre.gov.uk/directory_record/1425/rossall_hospital_car_parkhttps://www.wyre.gov.uk/info/200072/parking/153/pay_and_display_car_parks/9https://www.wyre.gov.uk/info/200072/parking/153/pay_and_display_car_parks/12https://www.wyre.gov.uk/info/200072/parking/153/pay_and_display_car_parks/11https://www.wyre.gov.uk/info/200072/parking/153/pay_and_display_car_parks/10https://www.wyre.gov.uk/directory_record/1436/stanah_car_parkhttps://www.wyre.gov.uk/directory_record/1438/thornton_sports_centre_car_parkhttp://www.wyre.gov.uk/info/200072/parking/153/pay_and_display_car_parks/6http://www.wyre.gov.uk/info/200072/parking/153/pay_and_display_car_parks/7http://www.wyre.gov.uk/directory_record/1429/civic_centre_car_parkhttp://www.wyre.gov.uk/directory_record/1432/poulton_leisure_centre_car_park

Garstang:

Pay & Display car parks

High Street - car park has speed bumps. Parking to right rear of car park.

Knott End:

Free car parks Quaile Holme Road - Extended bays marked in centre of car park. Please note there are height barriers on this car park which are normally open - please check before entry that barriers are not closed.

For further information, our website provides details where motorhomes can be parked http://www.wyre.gov.uk/info/200312/parking_and_car_parks/794/motorhomes_and_caravans

As I write, there has still been no interest expressed in taking on the vital role of Club Secretary which is now vacant.

In case anyone has now had a change of circumstances which would allow them to help the club by acting as Secretary, the details are repeated below from the previous newsletter.

Hello to all members.

Andrea resigned from the role of Club Secretary at the recent AGM, and as there were no nominations received, the post remains vacant! Please take time to read below and contact the Webmaster (who is currently co-opted into this post) via the website, if you

are interested in the post and would like further information.

The role of Club Secretary is interesting and not time consuming, and can be carried out wherever you are as long as you have an occasional internet connection (Andrea has maintained the role while over-wintering in Portugal, and during many of her regular house and pet sitting commitments).

The main part of the job is to check incoming emails and to respond when necessary, but on average there have been four to five emails per week. The majority are advertising ‘blurb’ from event companies and can be disregarded. The other messages usually require a "common sense" answer or can be referred to other officers or club members.

Maintaining liaison with Lowdhams at Gunthorpe is important, but only needs a friendly catch up every few months with Debby Ashton, who works for Steve Sharpe, the Commercial Director. Debby is very good at letting the club know about special events, and both she and Steve will welcome you to their stand at the Warners shows.

Each year the secretary ensures that all officers have prepared their reports for the AGM in April and compiles the agenda. They are responsible for note taking at the AGM and writing up the minutes, which are then circulated to all members by Bill Lowes, the Membership Secretary.

Please note that the Secretary is NOT required to attend every rally, or to act as a marshal.

CLUB SECRETARY STILL REQUIRED

WYRE COUNCIL - PARKING FOR MOTORHOMES

http://www.wyre.gov.uk/info/200072/parking/153/pay_and_display_car_parks/4http://www.wyre.gov.uk/directory_record/1428/quaile_holme_road_car_parkhttp://www.wyre.gov.uk/info/200312/parking_and_car_parks/794/motorhomes_and_caravans

The Club website

www.knausowners.com

Is where Kevin Hamblin would be happy if you could e-mail your experiences to him for others to share. There is also a Discussion Forum where you can post questions or put up subjects for discussion. Why not log on and see? Thank you.

A news sheet for the Knaus

Owners Club in the UK

Membership Secretary

Bill Lowes

4 Birch Tree Close

Barnby Dun

Doncaster

DN3 1QW

Phone: 01302 885826

E-mail:

membership@knausowners.com

treasurer@knausowners.com

Club Website:

www.knausowners.com

Jim continues to need your support by sending in

items for the Newsletter!! Don’t be shy – please tell

others about your experiences. You can send your

articles for inclusion to:

newsletter@knausowners.com

Thanks to everyone for their items in this edition.

Knaus Owners Club now on

Facebook

The Club now has a growing presence on Facebook.

Members who would like to participate in the

discussions and/or share touring tips and experiences

can find us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/

KnausOwnersClubGB/ As it is currently a closed

group for Club members only, you will then need to

submit a request to join.

If you have any problems gaining access please

contact me by email on newsletter@knausowners.com